I had the opportunity to meet 8 wonderful children last year from Koriyama and Fukushima City as they came to France for two weeks, as part of a recuperation program launched by Yoshino Hiroyuki san of Fukushima Network for Saving children from radiation 子供たちを放射能から守る福島ネットワーク and Olivier Florens and his team. It was a wonderful experience and they were so much fun to be around. These recuperation programs are extremely important for them, as it stops their continual exposure to radiation, cleanse their bodies of radioactive Cesium and reacquaint them with nature and the joy of playing outside, simple things that we all take for granted. Back home, they are still bound to play only few minutes outside, daily.

As the project last year was a complete success and the need for these recuperation projects to continue, 8 children (or more) will be able to return to the South of France this summer and enjoy this incredible cultural exchange once again. They will be hosted in a serene environment and will partake in many fun outdoors activities such as horse riding and the emphasis will be put on the rediscovery of a healthy diet. http://www.ulule.com/fukushima/

Like last year, their stay will last 15 days. Translators, a nurse, a doctor and other volunteers will be present for the duration.

This project needs your help. Most of the families we are in contact with are in dire financial situations and everyone is asked to contribute. http://www.ulule.com/fukushima/

Hiroe san and Yuki kun are counting on you.

THE PLEDGE

Last year, 14 000 euros were successfully collected for this project, thanks to numerous donations and hardworking dedicated score of creative volunteers. It allowed the organizers to provide plane tickets for the children, great meals, transportation, traveling to Paris and many fun fun fun activities.

This year, the budget is increasing, hoping to host the same children as well as a potential second group to 10,000 euros. The concept is simple; more money equals more children. 😉 http://www.ulule.com/fukushima/

It is our duty to see that this project goes through. It can only be realized if you, I and everyone else participate. Many of you have often asked how you can be of any help. This is it! This is your chance to make things better for these children. Participants in these recuperation programs are decreasing due to constant propaganda by the authorities, claiming everything is ok in Fukushima. We can only help the families that wish to be helped. Your contributions will greatly increase awareness as these Fukushima students will share their stories with local children in France and will enable a vast cultural exchange. http://www.ulule.com/fukushima/

Hinawari chan, Chisaki and Misaki chan and all the children need your help. They need to take walks through a forest, they need swimming, they need horse riding, they need to laugh, they need to be one with nature once again. They need to feel safe. They need you to be a part of this. Nothing will replace the beautiful Fukushima scenery they are used to but this is a great start to implant seeds of hope in their hearts. http://www.ulule.com/fukushima/

On behalf of all the families, children and organizers in question; THANK YOU!

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN ALSO HELP

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Fukushima; it’s them, it’s us!

WHAT’S GOING ON IN FUKUSHIMA

In Fukushima prefecture, Japan, nothing has changed much. The media has long gone silent on the subject and authorities are obviously unwilling to do the right thing; Protecting the children from the invisible, odorless and tasteless enemy.

This enemy is still present, very much so in fact. In places like Koriyama shi and Fukushima shi, the enemy has invaded households, schools, food and is constantly traveling and redepositing its poison randomly across the land. The only way to witness that invasion is by noticing thousands of contaminated waste bags, abandoned across towns, forests or most likely next to someone’s house, with absolutely nowhere to dispose of it. Dozens of monitoring stations displaying inaccurate levels are also a good reminder that the invisible enemy won’t go away anytime soon. http://www.ulule.com/fukushima/

The other witnesses are children. Clever and worried children armed with useless dosimeters to keep track of how bad they are being attacked by this invisible enemy everyday, for 3 straight years. But these dosimeters do not protect them from inhaling or ingesting hot particles. Many desperate parents understand that simple and frightening fact.

Consequently, these children are prevented from playing outside for more than an hour a day and are encouraged to stay inside as much as possible. Rightfully so!

Fukushima children play in indoor sandbox in the town of Motomiya Fukushima

THE ORGANIZERS
Alchemille Association
Olivier Florens, vice president of the council of Vaucluse,
Yoshino Hiroyuki and Fukushima Network for Saving Children from Radiation 子供たちを放射能から守る福島ネットワーク
Our dedicated volunteers from last year
Our new addition of dedicated volunteers
Our other Japanese partners